By Thomas Weston
Census was good but felt very autumnal. A cold wind came up the valley and through the Village. I walked into Millcombe with the calls and sight of Redwing heading SE. There seemed to be a good overnight passage of the species so I presume these were ones lagging behind their friends. There was a small uptake in Song Thrushes and Fieldfare with 9 of the former and 6 of the latter. Chaffinches were also moving in good numbers with over 150 birds heading SE, whereas on the mainland they were heading NE! A single Alba Wagtail was the first for a few days, and it was nice to hear some Siskin heading overhead in ones and twos. Blackbird numbers never really were super high today with 16 recorded across the route, however Starlings were apparent in good numbers with over 240 seen including a couple of flocks very fresh in off the sea. Other visible migrants included a Chiffchaff, 3 Linnets and 12 Meadow Pipits all of which have not been seen for a few days.
Lingering locals and stationary migrants included 12 Carrion Crows, 5 Ravens, 9 Robins, a single Firecrest, 3 Dunnocks, 2 Goldcrests, 2 Great Black-Backed Gulls, 3 Gannets, 2 Water Rails, 2 Peregrines, 3 Goldfinches, 6 Wrens, 2 Auk spp., 18 House Sparrows and 16 Mallards.
Wigeon in Bartons by Thomas Weston
Scarcities on route included the 1st year male Wigeon, and the Jackdaw seen briefly in Bartons but not for long so no idea where that bird is hanging out.
A lot of admin today, but a walk to the Quarries resulted in a Stock Dove, 2 Merlins, a Kestrel, and a couple of Redwing and Fieldfare with some Gannets offshore.